THERE'S still nothing definite to report on the appointment of a new manager at Swindon Town, writes Peter Mitchell.

After being warned off by Mansfield from making an official approach for their manager Steve Evans, it looks as though chairman Lee Power has had to go back to the drawing board.

However, two top bookmakers still have Evans' name among the favourites, so perhaps there is more going on there than meets the eye.

Other candidates being talked about are Gary Bowyer (whose Blackpool line up in the League Two Play-off final at Wembley today) and ex-Cheltenham Town boss, Steve Cotterill, although the latter has personally ruled himself out.

The really intriguing name that has cropped up several times in speculation is Alan Archibald, the Partick Thistle manager.

He has steered Thistle to a top-six Scottish Premier finish on a very limited budget – music to Mr Power's ears – and is the longest serving manager in the top tier.

If Swindon could lure him south of the border it would really make a mockery of the status of Scotland's top division. However, don't get too excited as his managerial win ratio is still only 34 percent.

Whoever does eventually get the chairman's vote of confidence will need to hit the ground running as there is much work and recruitment to get through in only a few short weeks.

Town have offered new deals to five players whose contracts end next month. I would say the club will count themselves fortunate if any of the five accept and are still Swindon players next season. Apparently Nathan Thompson, Raphael Branco and Yaser Kasim have all received offers from other clubs – some from the Championship – and personally I would be very surprised if Jon Obika doesn't find a club at a higher level than League Two.

This leaves Jermaine Hylton who, although he blotted his disciplinary copybook last season, looks a strong candidate to score goals at this lower level.

I have heard rumours that the division's new boys Forest Green Rovers are trying to poach him, so we will have to await developments.

Many supporters will be surprised by the offer to Kasim. From last autumn onwards he looked a shadow of his former self and seemed focused on getting away during the January transfer window. Apparently Bristol City have offered him a deal but he has also had offers from abroad.

As for the Swindon Town Supporters' Trust starting down the long road of attempting to buy the County Ground from the local council, I'll deal with that topic in the near future.

Finally, a note of disappointment to end with. Last week saw former Town striker Nile Ranger convicted and jailed for fraud. In my opinion he was one of the most talented footballers to play (briefly) for the Town over the past 20 years and it is sad to see such talent and a promising career totally wasted.

It will be a brave club that offers him yet another chance.